Tray for exercise treadmill

ABSTRACT

A tray adapted to mount to the hand rails of a piece of exercise equipment such as a treadmill. The tray may be adjustable in height and may be set at different angles. The tray may mount to the treadmill hand rails using a clam shell type interface.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of indoor fitness machines, and morespecifically to tray for using while exercising on a treadmill.

2. Description of Related Art

With the busy pace of many working person's daily schedules, one isoften unable to find the time to exercise. However, exercise is animportant aspect of daily life for many working people. A treadmill is acommon way in which one can exercise, either at home, in the office, orat the gym. Often, a television is supported from the ceiling in an areaof the gym where many treadmills are being used, allowing thoseexercising to multi-task at least to the level of watching televisionwhile exercising.

The mere watching of television may not be sufficient for many oftoday's active workforce members. They may seek to layer work relatedactivities onto their exercise regimen. An example of addressing thisissue is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,894 to Mesloh. The apparatus allowsfor the browsing of reading material while working out a piece offitness equipment. The apparatus is designed to reside upon the flooradjacent to the sides of the fitness equipment and present a browsingplatform in front of the user for the angular support of readingmaterial.

Another example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,701 to Edelson, in whicha portable exercise desk is disclosed. Once again, the apparatus isadapted to reside upon the floor adjacent to the sides of the fitnessequipment.

What is called for is a support for work materials, including thesupport of a laptop computer, that can be securely fastened to atreadmill and other similar exercise equipment.

SUMMARY

A tray surface adapted to mount to a piece of exercise equipment such asa treadmill. The tray may be adjustable in height and may be set atdifferent angles. The tray may mount to the treadmill hand rails using aclam shell type interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with a tray mounted to an exercisetreadmill according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a tray according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tray according to some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tray according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rail bracket and lower bracket guideaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-B are illustrative examples of intermediate brackets accordingto some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rail bracket attached to a hand rail according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates adjustable tray brackets according to someembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise system 100 according to some embodimentsof the present invention. A tray system 101 is mounted upon the handrails 104 of an exercise apparatus 102, which may be a treadmill orother type of exercise apparatus. The position of the tray system 101may be adjusted vertically in some embodiments. The angle of the trayportion of the tray system 101 relative to horizontal may be adjusted insome embodiments. A personal computer 103 or other device or materialmay be placed upon the tray by the user while exercising on the exerciseapparatus 102. The user may adjust the position of the tray such thatthe user may utilize the tray system 101, and any device or materialsplaced upon it, while exercising. The attachment of the tray system 101to the handrails 104 allows the tray system 101 to be securely fastenedto the exercise treadmill 102 without physically interfering with anyforward mounted electronics, such as a control panel, on the exercisetreadmill itself.

In some embodiments, the handrails 104 are horizontal to the ground. Insome embodiments, the hand rails of the exercise apparatus 102 are atother angles relative to the ground. In some embodiments, the traysystem 101 is adjustable and may be attached to hand rails that are setat differing angles, and that are of different types of cross-sectionalprofiles.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tray system 200 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention. A tray 201 sits atop the tray system and issubstantially planar. In some embodiments, the tray 201 has two traybrackets 202 that extend out from the underside of the tray 201. Thetray brackets 202 provide for physical attachment of other mountinghardware to the tray 201. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 arerelatively thin brackets which extend out perpendicularly from thebottom of the tray 202 at approximately equal distances from thecenterline of the tray 201. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202right angle brackets. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 areadjustably fastened to intermediate brackets 204 which provide anadjustable link to the rail brackets 205.

In some embodiments, the tray brackets are integrally formed into thetray. In some embodiments, the tray brackets are fastened to the traywith rivets, threaded fasteners, adhesives, or other fastening devices.In some embodiments, the tray brackets are adjustable such that thedistance between the tray brackets may be adjusted to adapt to thedistance between the handrails of the exercise apparatus.

In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 are fastened to theintermediate brackets 204 with upper fasteners 203. The intermediatebrackets 204 are fastened to the rail brackets 205 with lower fasteners206. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 are held to theintermediate brackets 204 with the friction imparted by the tension inthe upper fasteners 203. In some embodiments, the tray brackets 202 areheld to the intermediate brackets 204 with a tongue in groove matingsetup which keys the tray 201 angle relative to the intermediatebrackets 204. The tongue in groove setup is then held in place with theupper fasteners 203. In some embodiments, the intermediate brackets 204are adjustable with regard to their side angle relative to the tray 201in one axis 230 while maintaining a substantially right angle to thetray when the tray is viewed from the front or the back. The rotationaxis 230 is substantially parallel to the tray 201. The rotation axis issubstantially parallel to the principal axis of the tray. In someembodiments, the tray brackets are fastened to the intermediate bracketswith the use of a threaded fastener or pin which has a primary axis thatis substantially parallel to the plane of the tray. In such embodiments,the intermediate brackets may be adjustable with regard to their angleto the tray as they rotate about the axis of the fastener or pin.

In some embodiments, the rail brackets 205 are held to the intermediatebrackets 204 with lower fasteners 206. In some embodiments, the railbrackets 205 are held to the intermediate brackets 204 with the frictionimparted by the tension in the lower fasteners 206. In some embodiments,the rail brackets 205 are held to the intermediate brackets 204 with atongue in groove mating setup which keys the intermediate brackets 204vertical position and/or angle relative to the rail brackets 205. Thetongue in groove setup is then held in place with the lower fasteners206. In some embodiments, the vertical position of the intermediatebrackets 204 is held with the use of a pin assembly which alterably pinsthe vertical position of the intermediate brackets 204 relative to therail brackets 205. In some embodiments, the vertical position of theintermediate brackets 204 relative to the rail brackets 205 isadjustable with the use of a pinion on the rail brackets 205 and amating rack gear on the intermediate brackets 204. In some embodiments,the horizontal spacing of the rail bracket centerlines is 26.5 inches.

In some embodiments, the tray system is not adjustable. The spacing ofthe brackets and the height of the brackets may be set duringmanufacture. For example, substantially all of the tray system may beformed in a single molding process, or may consist of fewer parts thatare bonded together or otherwise attached.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a tray 301 according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. The tray 301 has a principal axis 330 which extendsfrom side to side. In some embodiments, the tray 301 has tray plate 304with a tray rim 303 around the periphery of the tray plate 304. The trayrim 303 may be perpendicular to the tray plate 304. A tray pad 302 mayreside within the tray rim 303 on the upper surface of the tray plate304. The tray pad 302 may be made of rubberized material such that thetop surface 305 of the tray pad 302 affords some shock protection,vibration isolation, non-slip surface, or a combination of these andother features. The tray rim 303 also may act as a safety feature toprevent an item such as a personal computer being used on the tray frombeing knocked from the tray top surface.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rail bracket 401 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention. The rail bracket 401 has an internal surface 402which is approximately cylindrical in shape. The internal surface 402 ofthe rail bracket 401 may form a half or partial cylinder in someembodiments. In some embodiments, the cylinder diameter is 2 inches. Insome embodiments, the rail bracket may have an internal surface that hasother cross-sectional profiles. For example, the internal surface of therail bracket may be formed in the shape of a half or partial ellipse, ahalf or partial square or rectangle, or other shape. The rail bracketmay have a boss 403 with a protruding stud 404. The protruding stud 404is adapted to pass through the intermediate bracket. The lower fastenersattach to the protruding stud, capturing the intermediate bracket. Thebracket support 406 is adapted to set the angle of the intermediatebracket relative to the rail bracket 401. The bracket support 406 asshown in FIG. 5 has been rotated 180 degrees along its long axis forclarity of view. A ridge 405 on the boss 403 aligns with grooves 408allowing for setting a variety of preset angles. The protruding stud 404goes through the hole 407 in the bracket support. The intermediatesupport and bracket support are captured on the protruding stud by thelower fastener. A similar ridged keying aspect is present on the otherside of the bracket support 406 for locking into the grooves 464 in theintermediate support 461 in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, there may be a keyed rail support used at both thetop end and the bottom end of the intermediate support. In someembodiments, there may be a keyed bracket support used at just the topend of the intermediate support. In some embodiments, there may be akeyed bracket support used at just the bottom end of the intermediatesupport. In some embodiments, a different type of attachment feature maybe used.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate intermediate supports according to someembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments of the presentinvention, an intermediate support 450 may have an elongated slot 452along some or most of the centerline of its long axis. A star groovepattern 453 is located at the second end as an attachment point for therail bracket. The ends 451 of the intermediate bracket 450 may berounded. In some embodiments, an intermediate support 460 may have anelongated slot 463 along some or most of the centerline of its longaxis, along with key slots 464 located along and perpendicular to thelong axis of the bracket. The attach point to the rail brackets may be asimple through hole in some embodiments. The ends 461 of theintermediate bracket 460 may be rounded.

FIG. 7 illustrates the attachment of a rail bracket 480 to the hand rail483 of a piece of exercise equipment according to some embodiments ofthe present invention. The rail bracket 480 has been aligned with thehand rail 483 and the inner surface to the rail bracket 480 mates withthe outer shape and dimension of the hand rail 483. In some embodiments,the inner surface of the rail bracket is a partial or half cylinder. Insome embodiments, the inner surface of the rail bracket is of anotherprofile. Straps 482 may be used to secure the rail bracket 480 to thehand rail 483. In some embodiments, the straps are hook and loopfasteners. In some embodiments, a bottom bracket may be used in a clamshell fasten to fasten the rail bracket to the hand rail. In someembodiments, the bottom bracket may be of an interior profile that mateswith the bottom portion of the hand rail of the exercise apparatus. Thebottom bracket may be held to the rail bracket with straps in someembodiments. In some embodiments, the bottom bracket may be fastened tothe rail bracket using threaded or other fasteners.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 8, thetray brackets 802, 803 are laterally adjustable such that the spacingbetween the brackets may be varied. This may allow for the spacing to betailored to the spacing between the hand rails of the exercise apparatusupon which the tray system is to be attached. The tray 801 is shown withits bottom surface facing the viewer. The tray brackets 802, 803 haveslots 804 which allow the tray brackets 802, 803 to be moved along theaxis of the slots 804. Tighteners 805 fasten the tray brackets afterthey have been moved to the desired position. The ends 806, 807 of thetray brackets 802, 803 are adapted to be fastened to the intermediatebrackets. In some embodiments, there are two slots in each of the traybrackets. In some embodiments, both of the tray brackets have slots.

The adjustment of the spacing between the ends 806, 807 of the traybrackets allows for adaptation to different spacings of handrails of theexercise apparatus to which the tray system is fastened.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments maybe configured from the description given herein and additionaladvantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited tothe specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.

1. An apparatus comprising: a tray portion; a first support bracket,said first support bracket adjustably fastened to said tray portion; asecond support bracket, said second bracket adjustably fastened to saidtray portion; a first lower attachment portion, said first lowerattachment portion adjustably fastened to said first support bracket;and a second lower attachment portion, said second lower attachmentportion adjustably fastened to said second support bracket, wherein saidfirst and said second lower attachment portions comprise a partialcylinder adapted to mount to a cylindrical rail
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said tray portion is substantially flat.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said tray portion comprises: a raised rim;and a substantially flat portion within the periphery of said raisedrim.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said substantially flat portioncomprises a padded top surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidtray portion comprises: a tray; and a first and a second tray bracket,said first and said second tray brackets protruding from the bottom ofsaid tray portion, said first and said second tray brackets being thefastening point for said first and said second support portions.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein said first support bracket and said secondsupport bracket are adjustably fastened such that said first supportbracket and said second support bracket maintain substantially a rightangle relative to the bottom of said tray in one axis.
 7. The apparatusof claim 5 wherein said first and said second tray bracket areadjustably fastened to the bottom surface of said tray.
 8. The apparatusof claim 7 wherein said first and said second tray bracket areadjustably fastened such that the lateral spacing between said first andsaid second tray bracket may be adjusted.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6wherein said first and said second support brackets comprisesubstantially flat brackets, said flat brackets comprising a first endand a second end.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first ends ofsaid support brackets are adjustably fastened to said tray brackets. 11.The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second ends of said supportbrackets are adjustably fastened to said first and said second lowerattachment portions.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the partialcylinders of said first and said second attachment portions principalaxes substantially parallel to the plane of said tray portion.
 13. Anadjustable tray system comprising: a tray, said tray having a topsurface and a bottom surface, said tray having a principal axis; a firsttray bracket; said first tray bracket fastened to said bottom surface ofsaid tray; a second tray bracket; said second tray bracket fastened tosaid bottom surface of said tray; a first support bracket, said firstsupport bracket adjustably fastened to said first tray bracket to allowrotation around a first axis, wherein said first axis is substantiallyparallel to said principal axis; a second support bracket, said secondsupport bracket adjustably fastened to said second tray bracket to allowrotation around a second axis, wherein said second axis is substantiallyparallel to said principal axis; a first lower attachment bracket, saidfirst lower attachment portion adjustably fastened to said first supportbracket; and a second lower attachment bracket, said second lowerattachment portion adjustably fastened to said second support bracket.14. The adjustable tray system of claim 13 wherein said first axis andsaid second axis are coaxial.
 15. The adjustable tray system of claim 14wherein said first tray bracket and said second tray bracket areadjustably fastened to said tray.
 16. The adjustable tray system ofclaim 15 wherein said first tray bracket and said second tray bracketare adjustable such their spacing along said first axis may be varied.17. The adjustable tray system of claim 14 wherein said first lowerattachment bracket is rotatably adjustable around an axis parallel tosaid first axis, and wherein said second lower attachment bracket isrotatably adjustable around an axis parallel to said second axis.
 18. Asystem for exercising comprising: an exercise machine, said exercisemachine comprising a first handrail and a second handrail, said firstand said second handrails positioned in approximately parallel positionson each side of a user position, said first and said second handrailscomprising a first geometric cross-section; a tray portion; a firstsupport bracket, said first support bracket adjustably fastened to saidtray portion; a second support bracket, said second support bracketadjustably fastened to said tray portion; a first lower attachmentportion; and a second lower attachment portion, wherein said first andsaid second lower attachment portions comprise an internal mountingsurface adapted to mount to said first geometric cross-section.
 19. Thesystem of claim 10 wherein said tray portion is substantially flat 20.The system of claim 19 wherein said tray portion comprises: a raisedrim; and a substantially flat portion within the periphery of saidraised rim.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein said substantially flatportion comprises a padded top surface.
 22. The system of claim 18wherein said tray portion comprises a tray; and a first and a secondtray bracket; said first and said second tray brackets protruding fromthe bottom of said tray portion, said first and said second traybrackets being the fastening point for said first and said secondsupport brackets.
 23. The system of claim 22 wherein said first and saidsecond tray bracket are adjustably fastened to the bottom surface ofsaid tray.
 24. The system of claim 23 wherein said first and said secondsupport brackets comprise substantially flat brackets, said flatbrackets comprising a first end and a second end.
 25. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the first ends of said supports brackets are adjustablyfastened to said tray brackets.
 26. The system of claim 25 wherein thesecond ends of said support brackets are adjustably fastened to saidfirst and said second lower attachment portions.